Unit 1 - Biology of controlling fertility

Question 1

Male and female fertile periods?

Answer 1

Male = Continuous fertility
Female = Cyclical fertility lasting 1-2 days ( Can be calculated by temperature rise after ovulation or cervical mucus becoming thin and watery)

Question 2

How is ovulation stimulated? (treatments for infertility)

Answer 2

Drugs given to prevent negative feedback of oestrogen on FSH

Question 3

Artificial insemination?

Answer 3

Semen samples collected over time and inserted into female reproductive tract (useful for low sperm count)

Question 4

Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)?

Answer 4

Head of sperm drawn into needle and injected directly into egg ( Useful if low sperm or defective sperm)

Question 5

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)?

Answer 5

Surgical removal of eggs after hormone stimulation which are mixed with sperm, zygotes then are incubated and implanted into uterus

*During IVF, PGD is used to identify single gene disorder and chromosomal abnnormalities

Question 6

Physical methods of contraception?

Answer 6

Barrier methods, IUD, sterilisation.

Question 7

Chemical methods of contraception?

Answer 7

Pills, implants, morning afterpill (mimic negative feedback preventing FSH/LH production) or minipill which thickens cerival mucus